Service Projects

Build a Bed

In March of 2009, a Kentucky AmeriCorps programs began asking local Family Resource and Youth Service Center coordinators about community needs. One of the overwhelming responses they heard repeated time and time again was a desperate need for beds. The more they investigated, the more stories they heard of children sleeping 6 to a mattress, sleeping with parents and grandparents, sleeping on uninsulated floors, and sleeping on couches. Many of these children have unimaginably difficult lives during the day, lives affected by poverty, family struggles, educational barriers, and more. Most of the problems that affect their lives leave you and I feeling hopeless, we cannot change the situations. However, providing a safe, comfortable bed for a child to rest IS something we can do! By doing this, we can help improve their physical and emotional well-being. This can also increase their chances of success in school by helping them get a better night’s sleep.

The Build project consist of building twin size bed frames, passing out the twin mattresses, and assembling the “bedtime baskets” that go with the bed. The bags contain toothbrushes, toothpaste, blankets, nightlights, books, stuffed animals, twin sheet sets, and pajamas. To date, ATEAM, along with other Corps in the State have built and given away over 2,000 beds.

Hearts from Home

Hearts from Home is an annual service project for Valentine’s Day for ATEAM. Members engage their students, and possibly the entire school, to make Valentine’s for soldiers abroad and stateside, and for Veterans. ATEAM has sent over 10,000 Valentine’s cards and letter to thousands of these individuals. It’s an extra-special project for extra-special people!

Read Across America Week

National Education Association’s Read Across America, also known as “Dr. Seuss Week” is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school. Yearly, ATEAM members collaborate with teachers and Family Resource personnel to craft a week full of fun for the students.

National Days of Service

Mayor’s Day

Kentucky ranked 4th in the country this year–with 149+ mayors and county officials representing 3,206,000 citizens raising their voice for national service. Check out #Mayor4Service and #County4Service photos on Facebook and Twitter.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a way to transform the life and teachings of Dr. King into community service that helps solve social problems. Each January, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, and break down barriers. Explore the national Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service website to learn more about MLK Day.